Information on Chemical Toxicity

Several types and combinations of chemicals were used in Operation Ranch Hand, each one codenamed by the color of the identification stripe that appeared on its chemical storage drums. The best known mixture is popularly known as Agent Orange, although in the military it was referred to as Herbicide Orange (HO). All the herbicide mixtures were contaminated with varying levels of toxic chemicals, the most notorious and toxic of which was 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), often just called dioxin. Dioxin was found in Agents Orange, Green, Pink, and Purple. TCDD is an extremely toxic chemical, linked to a variety of diseases.